Dempster gets dumped again

Reds 3, Cubs 2

September 25, 2006|By Tribune

Cubs closer Ryan Dempster blew his fourth straight save opportunity and ninth of the year in a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati.

Called on to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Dempster gave up a double to Todd Hollandsworth, threw two wild pitches to allow the tying run to score and was finally pulled with the bases loaded and one out.

Royce Clayton ended the game with a pinch single past a diving Ronny Cedeno in a 12-pitch at-bat against Scott Eyre, leaving the Cubs at 63-93 for the season.

"It's been tough," Dempster said. "I've been [terrible]. It just stinks, and today is even worse. Today ticked me off the most because I putt Scottie in a bad situation. He has to come in and basically strike [Clayton] out for us to win the game.

"That's on me, and I've got to do better. I tried to go right after guys, and they hit me."